"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

1985: Kimberly McCullough made her first appearance on General Hospital as Robin Scorpio. In the episode, Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) came home and found Robin in his living room.

1986: British drama Casualty premiered.

1989: On As the World Turns, Paul Stenbeck (Andrew Kavovit) told the Oakdale PD the story of how and why he shot his father, James.

1996: Krista Allen debuted as Billie Reed in Days of our Lives.

2003: Actress Louise Platt, who played Ruth Jannings Holden on The Guiding Light in the 1950s, died at age 88.

2006: On Days of our Lives, EJ DiMera (James Scott) tried to help Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) after she learned Will was missing. Later, Sami revealed to Lucas Horton (Bryan Dattilo) she had been receiving threatening notes for months.